Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection
Authors: Shyam Kottilil, Mary Wright, Michael A. Polis, Henry Masur
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2015)

Letters17 March 2015Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus InfectionShyam Kottilil, MD, PhD, Mary Wright, MD, MPH, Michael A. Polis, MD, MPH, and Henry Masur, MDShyam Kottilil, MD, PhDFrom Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda; and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.Search for more papers by this author, Mary Wright, MD, MPHFrom Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda; and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.Search for more papers by this author, Michael A. Polis, MD, MPHFrom Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda; and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.Search for more papers by this author, and Henry Masur, MDFrom Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda; and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/L15-5064-4 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:Dr. Venes correctly states that “direct-acting antivirals have never been shown to prevent cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma.” Indeed, the long-term effects of new drugs on the complications of HCV infection merit careful study to be certain that their apparent benefits are fully realized. The experience with virologic cure after interferon-based therapies suggests that cure of HCV infection using direct-acting antivirals will plausibly prevent such sequelae (1, 2). Dr. Venes also observes that, even if direct-acting antivirals prevent complications, we will have to manage many patients in the current cohort of HCV-infected persons who do not access care or ...References1. Poynard T, McHutchison J, Manns M, Trepo C, Lindsay K, Goodman Z, et al. Impact of pegylated interferon alfa-2b and ribavirin on liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Gastroenterology. 2002;122:1303-13. [PMID: 11984517] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Poynard T, Ratziu V, Charlotte F, Goodman Z, McHutchison J, Albrecht J. Rates and risk factors of liver fibrosis progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C. J Hepatol. 2001;34:730-9. [PMID: 11434620] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Shyam Kottilil, MD, PhD; Mary Wright, MD, MPH; Michael A. Polis, MD, MPH; Henry Masur, MDAffiliations: From Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland, Baltimore; National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda; and National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland.Disclosures: Authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest. Forms can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOf InterestForms.do?msNum=M14-0741. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoTreatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Is It Time for the Internist to Take the Reins? Shyam Kottilil , Mary Wright , Michael A. Polis , and Henry Masur Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Is It Time for the Internist to Take the Reins? Shyam Kottilil , Mary Wright , Michael A. Polis , and Henry Masur Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Donald Venes Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Neeral L. Shah , Virginia Kelly , and Stephen H. Caldwell Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Michael P. Carson Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Donald Venes Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Michael P. Carson Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Neeral L. Shah , Virginia Kelly , and Stephen H. Caldwell Metrics Cited byGoing Viral: Why Eliminating the Burden of Hepatitis C Requires Enhanced Cooperation Between Specialists and Primary Care Providers 17 March 2015Volume 162, Issue 6Page: 459KeywordsAntiviralsDrugsElectronic medical recordsHepatitis C virusHepatocellular carcinomaInfectious diseasesInfectious hepatitisLiver diseasesMedical educationSub-specialty care ePublished: 17 March 2015 Issue Published: 17 March 2015 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2015 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...